After a bang-up start to ss24 in November of 2009, the Sun, again entered a quiescent period, devoid of sunspots–until January 15 or there about, when an M class flare disrupted terrestrial radio reception, creating spectacular auroral light shows in Earth’s polar regions.

Last week, the sunspot’s magnetic field erupted five times, producing a string of M-class solar flares that marked the strongest spate of solar activity in nearly two years. Although it has since calmed, the [maelström] could erupt again at any time.

Got off to a good start but has ‘petered out,’ so ta speak. A check of spaceweather.com, as of Monday, November 30th 2009, reveals sunspot activity has again returned to zero.

The sun is blank–no sunspots.

Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 7 day
2009 total: 250 days (75%)
Since 2004: 761 days
Typical Solar Min: 485 days

The new solar cycle has began with a bang. A cluster of sunspots 60 to 80 times the size of the Earth have emerged on the far side of the Sun signaling the beginning of what astronomers refer to as, “Solar Cycle 24.” This newest sunspot is thought to be 60 to 80 times the size of Earth and shaped like the letter “S”. The last major sunspot activity happened over two years ago and produced the most powerful x-class flare yet –measuring x28. …and then all went quiet as far as solar storms go. pictured above: A typical sunspot compared to the size of the Earth.

Sunspots have all but vanished in recent years sparking vigorous debate in the scientific community as to the effect reduced solar output would have on the Earth’s climate. Some even speculated a global cooling was in the works if solar activity didn’t pick up soon.

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

-– Robert Frost

Global climate change is upon us…No one ever thought a black man would (really) become president of the United States…at least it was said…if or when and until pigs fly…now we have Swine Flu. No one ever expected frost in July, but it is Canada were talki’ about, after all.

Temperatures dropped to a record low in Prince Edward Island overnight Tuesday, with reports of frost throughout the province. An official record low of 3.8 C was set early Wednesday morning at Charlottetownairport. The previous record for that date was 5.1 C, set in 2005. Bob Robichaud, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that to his knowledge, frost has never been reported before in July in P.E.I. “That 3.8 we got last night kind of sticks out as being lower than some of the other records for anytime in early July,” Robichaud told CBC News on Wednesday. “So we’re looking at a significant event,” he said.

Summer from Hell continues… Mean-whiles, deep in the heart of Texas, temperatures soar to record breaking levels as air conditioners drone on trying to keep southerners perspiration free. Meteorologist, Burton Fitzsimmons sums it up for us in his daily post.

Doc. F, awoke to cries and moaning — out I go at 3 am — squeezin’ oil into our old window unit, in a vain attempt ta keep it alive, for just one more Summer. We’ll see what mañana brings… same ol’ same ol’, I’ll bet.

update: she’s bought the farm…

FrankenSteam’s 10 year old AC, has gone to it’s reward. The ‘Summer from Hell,’ was just too much for it; the bearings froze up, and as my old pappy used ta say: That’s all she wrote.

Currently, awaiting ‘Solar Cycle 24’ to begin. So far, all we have is a clean disk –no sunspots.

…the sun went through a period of sunspot ‘inactivity’ [emphasis added] from about 1645 to 1715. This period of sunspot minima is called the Maunder Minimum…The “Little Ice Age” occurred…during the Maunder Minimum. So the question remains, do solar minimums help to create periods of cooler than normal weather, and do solar maximums help to cause drought[s]…?

The Maunder Minimum coincided with the middle — and coldest part — of the Little Ice Age, during which Europe and North America, and perhaps much of the rest of the world, were subjected to bitterly cold winters. Whether there is a causal connection between low sunspot activity and cold winters is the subject of ongoing debate (e.g., see Global Warming).